Automotive Aftermarket Manufacturer to Deploy IFS Business Software
CHICAGO, Dec. 9, 2003 -- IFS announced today that Car Sound Exhaust System, Inc., of Rancho Santa Margarita, California, has signed a contract to purchase IFS Applications business software. Car Sound is an ISO 9001-approved manufacturer of aftermarket catalytic converter and performance exhaust systems.
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The company will implement IFS' supply chain management, financial, engineering, maintenance, human resources, document management, and business modeling applications. It will also use IFS' web-based portals and IFS eLearning(TM) training materials.
"During our software evaluation process, we were impressed with IFS' expertise in the automotive industry and strength in the general manufacturing arena," said Dan Paolone, Director of Materials Management for Car Sound Exhaust System, Inc. "We selected IFS Applications because the product not only provided all the functionality and flexibility we wanted but also appeared to be much easier to work with. A significant number of reference checks -- to customer accounts not provided to us by IFS -- all backed up IFS' claim of providing support that could be counted on. And IFS' management demonstrated a real feeling of wanting to do business with us, making it hard not to want to be part of the IFS family."
"As a consultant, it is important to put viable software vendors in front of my clients -- ones that really do provide solutions and add value to the organization," said Steve Ragow, President of Business Solutions Associates Inc., which assisted Car Sound in the software selection process and will work with IFS on the implementation. "From the outset, IFS showed a genuine interest in making sure they were a good fit and in demonstrating that fit to Car Sound. Without any fanfare, showy presenters, or fixed demonstration skits, the strength and flexibility of the IFS product became clear to the Car Sound team. IFS demonstrated both a viable product and a strong desire to do business with a partner."
"IFS has both the product and the expertise to help companies in the automotive industry maintain their competitive edge by cutting costs, minimizing lead times, and reducing capital tied up in inventory," said Michael Nordin, President of IFS North America. "And only IFS offers a life cycle management solution that provides better integration and management of three critical business areas -- products, customers, and resources -- throughout their life cycles."
The automotive industry is one of IFS' targeted vertical markets in North America. IFS' automotive solutions are designed for OEMs and their direct or indirect suppliers, such as system, part, or component suppliers. All core business processes, including product development, manufacturing, procurement, planning, and customer relationship management (CRM) are supported, along with quality management, financials, and human resources. IFS supports lean manufacturing through components for Kanban, Kaizen costing, and production schedules.
IFS has more than 100 automotive customers in North America, Europe, and Asia, including Volvo Cars, Volvo Trucks, MG Rover, BMW, Mayflower Vehicle Systems, Finnveden Sheet Metal Components, Lotus Cars, KYB Manufacturing North America, Expert Components, Toyo Denki Seizo k.k., Unipart Manufacturing Group, Timberjack, London Taxis International, and VBG.
About Car Sound Exhaust System, Inc.
Car Sound Exhaust System, Inc., of Rancho Santa Margarita, California, is an ISO 9001-approved manufacturer of aftermarket catalytic converter and performance exhaust systems. The company does business on six continents and produces and distributes more than 1,000 products from three facilities in California and one location in Italy. More information is available at www.car-sound.com .
About Business Solution Associates Inc.
Business Solutions Associates, Inc., of Redondo Beach, California, is a consulting and professional services group that provides operational and technology assistance to small and mid-market emerging manufacturers and distributors. The company is made up of people with executive, operational, and technology experience of over 20-25 years each across the entire manufacturing industry arena. BSA has the expert personnel to provide such services as business process reviews, IT readiness audits, requirements definition, software search and selection, system implementations, and deployment of other technologies such as web and remote data access. More information is available at www.bsa-inc.com .
About IFS and IFS Applications
IFS develops and supplies component-based business applications for medium and large enterprises and organizations. IFS Applications, which can be implemented step by step, is based on web and portal technology. The solution offers 60+ enterprise application components used in manufacturing, supply chain management, customer relationship management, service provision, financials, product development, maintenance and human resource administration. IFS offers customers an easier, more open alternative. IFS is a leading global business applications supplier with sales in 45 countries and more than 350,000 users worldwide. The company is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange (XSSE: IFS).
IFS Applications is a trademark of IFS Industrial and Financial Systems. All other referenced company or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
For further information, please contact: John Bridges, VP Marketing of IFS North America, +1-520-512-2000, or fax, +1-520-512-2001, or john.bridges@ifsna.com ; or Chris Jensen, President of Jensen Market Relations, +1-714-847-7846, or fax, +1-714-847-4856, or chris@jensenmarket.com , for IFS.
IFS' Web: www.ifsworld.com
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